The cannabis plant serves a thousand
purposes and is a remarkably
renewable resource (it literally grows like a weed). This global shift
towards legalization is long overdue, and offers hope that we can yet
reverse the absurd suppression and violent defamation this sacred plant
has suffered in the last century.

In his book Shiva’s Broken Dream— detailing the world history of
cannabis and the powerful movements to vilify it — Mel Thomas relates
how,

The Vedas… describe how cannabis was created when the Gods stirred the
heavenly oceans with the peak of Mount Mandara. A drop of amrita
(heavenly nectar) fell from the sky and a sacred cannabis plant sprouted
on the spot. Lord Siva brought the cannabis plant down from Mount
Mandara for the pleasure of Mankind and for this the plant was
consecrated to him [Siva].

Indeed, there are some intriguing theories that the cognitive and
spiritual evolution of mankind was due in part to our interaction with
sacred plants acting as vehicles for higher consciousness. For example,
did you know mushroom spores can survive the vacuum of outer
space?

The Ayurvedic tradition recognizes marijuana (known as vijaya in
Sanskrit) as a medicinal
herb. However, it is only ever
recommended in miniscule doses, and always in combination with other
more sattvic herbs to balance the tamasic effects of cannabis.

Alakananda Ma, a highly respected spiritual teacher and doctor of
Ayurveda, acknowledges marijuana as "a muscle relaxant, euphoriant and
analgesic" in her
article
on the topic. She explains,

Although long revered in India as a sacred plant of Shiva, ganja has,
as we have seen, significant physical, emotional and spiritual impacts.
In its ancient cultural setting, it has for centuries been used by world
renouncing sadhus in conjunction with fasts and severe austerities.

In such a context, ganja could potentially be of value on the
spiritual path, although this author has rarely met a ganja-smoking
sadhu who had attained the ultimate goal. Taken out of its cultural
context and introduced into a party lifestyle unheard-of in ancient
tradition, ganja has become far more problematic.

This is a crucial point. Neo-hippies and new age spiritualists often
invoke the use of ganja as an ancient and therefore legitimate tool on
the road to enlightenment. What these invocations generally lack,
however, is the proper ceremonial context and attendant sattvic
lifestyle habits that accompanied the practice in the past. Ritualistic
inhalation of a sacred herb on rare, auspicious occasions is very
different than daily spliffs or perfunctory bong rips.

As it is, marijuana is a common form of self-medication. Different
people smoke different strains for different reasons. In Ma’s article,
she provides a breakdown of these types according to the doshas:

Ma goes on to describe the phases that arise subsequent to ganja use,
showing how it progresses through the
gunas and acts
as a "short-term euphoriant and long-term depressant":

In the initial euphoria phase, the sattva guna is activated. Later, as
giggles and 'munchies' set in, rajas predominates. Finally, the
long-term effect is that of tamas, leading to a dull and foggy state of
mind. Within this fog, the insights supposedly received under the mildly
psychedelic impact of ganja cannot be integrated in any valuable way.

This description is consistent with this author’s experience. It’s a
tricky business, because when the euphoric effect
has worn off and you awaken from your nap, all you remember is the
euphoria. The subtle effects are lost in the mix, and it appears to have
been a bit of harmless, perhaps even enlightening fun.

Thus, habitual use becomes prajnaparadh, or a "crime against wisdom,"
wherein we know something is harmful, but we do it anyway. Ayurveda then
provides valuable perspective, offering reminders of the negative
consequences of marijuana use. As Ma says,

[Marijuana is] a liver toxin. An important physical impact of
Marijuana is sub-clinical hepatitis, a condition in which the liver is
chronically congested, resulting in irritability, low-grade depression,
slow wound healing, burning sensations, rashes, allergies and yellowish
eyes.

Dr. John Douillard agrees that:

Marijuana is a tamasic drug that can negatively affect memory.
According to the NIH, it is addictive and mind-dulling, and can do
permanent cognitive harm if used in excess… The tamasic effects of
marijuana can dull the mind, leaving the aspirant dependent on marijuana
use with only an illusion of real spiritual progress.

In this author’s opinion, the "illusion of real spiritual progress" is
the most dangerous component of all. The negative health effects are
relatively minor compared to the profound despair that accompanies
spiritual confusion.

Regardless of the ecstasy one may experience while practicing yoga
stoned, or toking up before meditation, the herb ultimately represents
one more layer of veiling between the human mind and God-consciousness.
Even worse, it gives the fleeting sensation of having attained some
measure of sattva, only to leave the mind and body wallowing in tamas.

The goal of spiritual practice is to become firmly established in unity
consciousness. Temporary glimpses of such bliss may serve as motivation
on the path, but should never be mistaken as attainment of the goal.
Unfortunately, many of the cosmic experiences available through
marijuana bring the user one step forward then two steps back.

Similarly, marijuana’s well-known propensity for pain reduction can also
serve as a detriment to emotional growth and spiritual development. In
this article, Dr.
John Douillard explains that,

It is said in Ayurveda that the pain is directly across from the
bliss, and the reason for the pain is to get our attention so that we
can go through the pain and experience a deeper, more real aspect of the
self and let a more loving and powerful version of ourselves out.

According to this perspective, experiencing the pain is essential for
emotional and spiritual growth. Once you take away the pain you have
taken away the road map to mental and emotional maturity. Additionally,
according to Alcoholics Anonymous, emotional maturation stops at the age
ones starts drinking or doing drugs.

Habitual marijuana use can definitely cause arrested development. In the
course of my youth, I remember a seemingly miraculous burst of personal
maturation that just happened to coincide with an extended break from
smoking.

Though it is not physically addictive, marijuana is powerfully
habit-forming, and can thus be very difficult to put down. Thankfully,
Ma has some recommendations for how to ease off.

An herbal smoking mix, using herbs [such] as Red Clover, Osha, and
Mullein can be used in place of or together with ganja as part of a plan
to reduce ganja use. Adding Brahmi or Jatamansi to this mix will limit
the tamasic impact of ganja.

In summary, the global movement to legalize cannabis is an enormously
positive shift towards social and ecological justice. We have waged war
against Mother Nature for far too long, and now is the time is for
reconciliation. That being said, marijuana is a powerful plant that,
like many medicines, has the potential to both heal and poison. Let us
all use our best
discrimination as we
engage with this sacred green entity.

If ever in doubt, please seek the expert guidance of an Ayurvedic
practitioner. Or, if your local dispensary is not yet wise enough to
employ a full-time holistic
herbalist, trust the knowing
that arises from within your own intuitive heart. So long as you aren’t
stoned, you’ll not be led astray.

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David McConaghay

David McConaghay​ is a student, teacher and practitioner based in Boulder, Colorado. An English major deeply trained in the Sivananda yoga tradition, David is now more than two years through a four year course to become a NAMA-certified Ayurvedic Doctor at Alandi Ayurveda Gurukula. He also serves on the board of COLORAMA and plays soccer for Harpo's FC.
David demonstrates sincere enthusiasm for exploring the overlaps between ancient Vedic sciences and futuristic physics. His aim is to make the esoteric accessible by sharing the many ways whereby accurately understanding the structure of space-time can benefit our daily actions and experience. He teaches locally at Colorado School of Yoga and is available for private consultations. A sampling of his work and play is available at SatsangEtc.com and on Facebook and Twitter.